Spoke-bending apparatus



Sept. 22, 1925.

1,554,548 w. J. BEISEL. A sPoxE BENDING APPARATUS Filed April 4, 1925 s sheetssneet 1 spt.22,1925. 1,554,548 W. J. BEISEL SPOKE BENDING APPARATUS i Filed April ,4, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 22, 1925. 1,554,548

w. J. BElsEL sPoKE BENDING APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1925 s sheets-sheet :s

Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

WILLIAM g fence Reisen-or .ron'r finoryinicnn, new YORK,

smite-:ennemie niennnrus.

...Appl-menen inea. April 4::

To. all welkom wfj Jcna-y concern:

`Be it `known `that L'l/ViLLIAM Jf Bnrsnn, a

citizen of ll-the United `Statesfand residing at Port nichmontl, county of Richmond; 4State of' New Yorkyhaye invented certain"newy and usefultlinprovementsin `Spe"ke- Bentling Apgxaratus, ofV which i the 'following is aA specifieation.

This' inventionfrelatesto Ineens -or bending elongated pliable metalrods or bars'oi' various `:kinds into various k-longitudinel shapes desired. The bending .-,meyfbe done hot or cold,Y sincetllthat is necessary is that the metal shalllbesuf'ciently plieblejatvthe teinperature'used as to 'permitgtheibending nf'ithout breaking, and lthe device is madev oi material y Which 4will Ystand the Eheet. V:To-embodies 'a lined support 'with parts-fin fixed position Athereon and 'pivotzilly monnted parte cooperating With said Ylirst mentioned pei-ts to '.ceuse the ebending and the Anature of the bend at i any particular point de'pends on `the .torni and `'relations :of fthe (parte -at that poing-.and thus it 4mfy tbe 4madefto vary vfthin 'wide limits Aby 'merely changing Athe form andrelntions of .the adjacent coop-' erating parts. -Inthe particnlnr l embojdiment shown for 4purposes 'offillustration 'the device is intendedand adapted to'soibend a straight vstrip oit `spring steel rectangulargin Cross `section `and .of uniform Width into the general llon"fitudinal form ofjthe leaves 'of spring spokes for vehicle Wheels,l suchiasjare set'forth and: dlaimediin my *ReissuePatent No. 15.371. Jnne'G .1922 and ofthe soeciiie torni of sickle shapefspring metal spoke shown in my copending applicntionSerfNo. 609298 'filed |`December '27, `1922. vAs above indicated however 5the invention vbroadly considered is notlimitedptothe cross seetional shape of thefrodor bar beine" treated nor 'to lany particular longitudinal form producedzbythe bending. he specificembodinrent of .the'bendingdevice shown-consists ofk a 'Very `compact combination of a minimum number of elements occupying very limited space` so `arranged `as to make the successive stepsofthe operationsimple and -easy "to perform, whereby lthey can Lbe performed `quickly While the metal is 'still hot, lbut they have such Ygreatstrength Yand bendinglererngethatit may 'be operated '-by hemd easily, even on llarge bars Aor froids. Although the ydeviceshown*ismoereted man'- nally `it will of course y be understoodthat l it vincludes novel cooperetivey structurel oomiszcjseeinlnoyceesse.`

binations which iymiild be equally useiulin i rsoirlplisliing the result. The `novel lfeatui-es Will'ibe more *fully understood from 'thelo'llowing` description and claims taken W-ith the accompanyingdrawings:

"In vvthe drawings: vdigure jl Vis a. perspective viewofa device embodying myinvention with l"the parts iin the `posit ionwhich f they assume in 1 completing tliebending; l *Q js )a Adi@grammatie\Viewlooking down onthe device with lits .parts invposition ready lier operation W'iththe"` bartbe bentf inpleee; y y Y v Fig 3'1sa similar View ofthe'part-s'atithe end `of\tliebenclrr1g movement; A

Fig LLisa; similar View with the partsjin the position at the endofthe7 second/bending Ln'iovernen't';

a simflar View of the partslin positionnt the endet the third movement;

Wig.; 6 similar yieW off the parts at i the end. o'i the'i'ourthmovement; e

'17 `is-asiniilar view/oi the parts at the end. tlieflast bendingmovement; W

ell-li g8 tis :a fhorizcntal `section through the lower partA of 'the device and through afpartoflthe rbar which =hasf-been bentfin Iit;

oit4

Fi J'JS; y

T l l is a perspective View of the inner end portion of the handle arm Whiehcauses the lirst'bendingg and i *Figlgis a p rspectiveviewfof the end of thebar `which isto Lbe "bentlshowing `side notches -which may be, engaged for bending.

As` will' be seen by 're'lerence to* Fig. "l 'the a `section onjthe line lOl-10 of epoweredriven orautomaticmachineforaci fl'igfa is e Vertical section `ongthe line 9-9 device includes e lletk support "10 Vwhich' shoultlb'e made o'i lnieta'l and Whieh Will `ordinarily fbe *used 1n Aa "horizontal,[posltlon, and al'inetel 'form 11 fhavingasniooth outer snrllacelongitudinallycurved on lines cor-` responding to `those intendedtofbejprorluced injmtliebnrwhih "is to ybe bent, and which is rigidly secured in place on the support l() projecting upwardly at right `angles from it. .enigular braces luand 13 are bolted to the iorn'il-l" et:tlieirupperends and secured y to `the support 1G` by bolts "l5 and L16 at their lovmr'ends. f -trtthe lon/'er1 yedge ofthe forni thereis e metelstrip or ledge r:17 A secured` tothe support lOso'a` to support'thefbar to ble-*bent sufficient distance above `theisuri and lower members 24 and 23jof the frame face of the support to permit free engagement by the bending mechanism. It extends outwardly from the form suiiiciently far to support a bar of the thickness desired.

Cooperating with this form to bend the rod or bar against it, there is a handle arm adapted to turn on longitudinally spaced pivot points, and having a roller spaced from said successive pivot points distances corresponding to and on curves concentric with the radii of the successive curves along the surface of said form. Beyond the end of the form 11 there is movable mechanism including a pivoted operating handle mechanism for engaging the projecting end of the rod or bar and imparting to it two bends or curves in reverse directions. swinging frame 18 composed of flat metal of uniform width is rotatively supported slightly above support 10 by the spindle 19 passing vertically through its ends. The lower end 20 is enlarged where it enters the socket in the support 10 forming a shoulder 21 slightly above that support. The frame 18 is supported by this shoulder out of contact with the surface 10. A metal cylinder 22 is rotatively mounted on` spindle 19 extending vertically from the lower member 23 of the frame 18 tothe upper member 24.

l This cylinder turns on a fixed axis with its surface parallel and close to the end of form 11 and in such position partly in the rear of form 11 that a plane in prolongation of the contact surface of the adjacent part of form 11 will be at a `tangent to it. The U-shaped frame 18 when in position for the bending operation is, as shown in Fig. 2, at right angles to the surface of the adjacent end of form 11 and is in side contact with the limiting stop 25 secured to the support 10. Handle arm 26 for bending is pivotally mounted at one end between the upper 18. Tt has an inner end portion 27 which is wide enough to fit between the upper and lower members of frame 18 and which vhas a flat surface terminating at a tangent to an integral enlargement 30 on the lines of a cylinder and which has a central bore 31 rotative'ly fitting a spindle 32 rotatively mounted at its ends inthe upper and lower members 24 and 23 of frame 18. The enits attached parts are pivotally supported by A U-shaped the swinging frame 18 between its ends by spindle 32 and that the frame may turn on spindle 19 at one end, and thus the frame and handle arm may have different angular relations at different times. l/Vhen arm 26 and other parts are in the position to commence the bending operation, the flat surface of the end portion 27 is beyond but parallel to the plane of the adjacent facing surface of form 11 and at substantially right angles to frame 18, as shown in Fig. 2.

A bar or strip of metal 36 isplaced against` the surface of the form 11 at the end next to frame 18 resting on ledge 17 and is moved endwise between cylinder 22 and the. enlargement 30 and along the fiat surface of end portion 27 of handle arm 26 for a predetermined distance, and its end is then clamped to the flat surface 27. The clamping means includes a sheet metal bracket 37 secured to the handle arm 26 near the end portion 27 having laterally projecting ends 38 from the upper and lower edges of said arm 26 parallel to saidsupport 10 triangular in shape in plan view, and a clamping arm 39 pivoted thereto at their outer ends 40 close to arm 26 extending outwardly at an angle and provided at its other end with a steadying weight 41 and lingers 42 and 43 projecting inwardly towards the fiatv face of the portion 27, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The lingers 42 and 43 may be secured to the clamping arm 39 by any suitable means, such as screws 44 and 45,V and the weight 41 may be provided with handle 46 for convenience in releasing it. The fingers 42 and 43 are spaced laterally from each other `sufiiciently to enter side notches or slots 47 and 48 in the bar 36 near its end, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 12. Inorder to force clamping arm 39 inwardly cooperating with the fiat face 27 to clamp the kbar to that face and to securely hold it in clamped position, a cam 49 is pivotally mounted at 50 to the upper forward edge of the bracket ends 38 and is provided with an operating handle 51.

In order to hold the bar 36 which is to be bent close against the adjacent surface of form 11 during the bending operation of the mechanism carried by the frame 18 which will be described later, a second handle arm 52 is placed in position substantially parallel to frame 18 and close to it, as shown in Fig. 2. This handle arm is flat instead of cylindrical and has adownwardly extending U-shaped support 53 secured to its side edges near its handle end 54, and a roller 55 is mounted in vertical position in said'support on a rotary shaft- 56 having a bearing in the base of the U and passing upwardly through the handle arm`52 and having a crank arm 57 connected to its up per end above the handle arm, as shown in Fig. 1. This arm 52 is adapted to be siii pivotally connected to the support 10 at three different points on that support 'and at three different points longitudinally of the arm, whereby the location oi' the center of movement of 'roller 55 and 'the length or its radius of movement may be varied greatly. The means for accomplishing this consists in threey vertical cylindrical openings 5'8, 59 and 66 through arm 52 at ditteren-t distances from roller 55, three vertical tubes 61, 62 and 63 extending through the support 10 and rigidly connected thereto at predeterminedv points and extending to a height slightly greater than that of iorni 1l, and a pin '64 adapted to lit an opening in said .arm and one of said pipes simultaneously, thus pivotally connecting the arm to the support. The pin '64 is preferably longer than the length of the pipes added to the thickness of arm 52, so that its upper endwill always project upwardly above arm 52, as shown in Fig.` 1, in a convenient position for hand grasping in changing pivots. lVhen properly adjusted to start bending as above stated armv 52 is substantially parallel to frame 18 and at right angles to the adjacent `end surface or form 11, and its opening 59 is over tube 62, and pin 6a pivotally connects the-m and its U-shaped support 53, and its roller 55 projecting downwardly on the outer side of bar 36l holding it close against the surface of term 11.

1When-the device is in proper adjustment for bending and the bar 36 has been placed in position and clamped to the` inner end of handle arm as shown in Fig. 2, and that arm is turned from the position shown in 2 to that shown Fig. 3, the end of the bar 36 will 'be pulled avfiXed dist-ance longitudinally between cylinder 22, and the semi-cylindrical end 30 of arm 26 and will in a sense wind part way around the enlarged end 30, forming a curve corresponding to its surface. ln order that the arm 26 may approach closely the center line or `trame 18 Aat the end of this movement the base 65 ot the U of that frame is partly cut away 'on 4the lines of a circle 66 in which the arm 26 partly enters, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. In order to automatically connect arm 26 to frame 18 at the limit of the last mentioned movement so that they will move together on the return movement, a spring catch in Jthe formel? a longitudinally extending inember 72 is pivoted between its ends fat 67 to a bracket 68 secured to arm 26 and having an outwardly extending hool;` arm 69 `at one end and a spring 70 at the other end between it and arm 26, whereby the inclined surface of the hook will move across in contact with. the end wall 65 of the frame 18 lm til` the hook passes a sharp edge catch member 71 on its outer edge and will then automatically interlock with that edge, due to the spring action. g -On reverse movement or arm from the position shownin Figfito that shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the tur-ning movement is of Icourse on the Vspindle 19 at the kend of the traine land continues until the arm 26 strikes the adjustable stop 73 which is secured to the support 110 by meansfof sl'e-t Y 78 land screw 79, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 8. During this movement it will be noted that the swinging movement "of frame 18 carrying the end of the bar around '-th'e pivot point 'of 'spindle 19 willpull the .bar '86 n longitudinally from form 11 and wrap it partlyV around cylinder 22, thus causing bend or curve which is in the reverse 'direction from but longitudinally joiirs the lirs't curve.

The handle arm 26 and frame 18 2remain stationary throughout the remaining bending movements. The flat handle bar 52, which is mount-eden pivot' pipe '62 `and crosses `-form 1l at the end next to Jthe bent portion of bar 36, is Vmoved from its dotted ine position in Fig. 5to its fullline position, the diameter 'of the vcurve followed corresponding curve "of the outer facenti? form 11, whereby the bar is bent on that curve. The pin 64 is then withdrawn from opening '59 and pipe 62 and arm 52 so moved that lits opening 58 is above pipe 61an`d then pin 64 is dropped in place pivotally 'connecting the bar to the support. The arm is then turned from the` dotted li'ne 'to the fulllin'e position, as shown in Fig, 6. It will be i noted that the radius on which roller now turns is very short producing a rather sharp curve', but it extends for a greater angle. The last bending movement is Vbrought about by withdrawing pin 64, moving 'ar'm 52 until its opening 60 is over ppejo, their `jection 76 tits inV groove 74rin roller 55.

These projections, as well as side notches 47 and i8 at the other end and the longitudinal sickle shape of the metal strip or bar, are features of the Vspring spokes described and claimed in my copending application above mentioned. n

It will be seen by reference to Fig. l that the portion of the upper member 240i the frame 18 next to the end or base 65 is integral A therewith but that the Vremainder extending to the end is made separately and 'no the roller 55 bearing 'on the 'outer sideoi bar 36 being concentric `with that/ot the connected to the integral portion by a hinge 80 which permits it to be turned upwardly, so that the bar 36 may be lifted from between cylinder 22 and the cylindrical enlargement 30 when the bending is Afinished and the bar has been released from the clamp.l An upwardly projecting handle 8l is provided for effecting this turning'.V It will be understood that roller 55 being keyed to its shaft carried by handle arm 52, the movement of that arm on its pivot may be caused by turning that roller in lcontact with the bar through its handle 57.

Although I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it is not limited to the details beyond what is required in the following claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

' l. A device for bending metal bars, comprising, in combination, a support, a former mounted thereon and having a curved surface, means for holding a bar to be bent against said former with one end of the bar projecting beyond the former, a member pivotally mounted on said support adjacent the end of said former, a second member pivotally supported on said first member, means for moving said second member in one direction about its pivotal support on the first member to bend one part of the projecting portion of saidbar in one way, means for moving said first memberk in an opposite di# rection about its pivotal support to bend another part of the projecting portion of said bar in the opposite way, whereby a reverse bend is produced in said projecting portion of the bar.

2; A ldevice for bending metal bars, comprising in combination a support having a fiat surface, a former in fixed position thereon having a surface on such curved longitudinal lines as may be desired for one end portion of the bar, means adjacent one end of said former cooperating therewith to slidably hold the bar in operative position with one end projecting beyond said former, means including an elongated handle arm pivoted at one end for engaging the projectingend of said bar and bending it on a reverse curve by two successive pivoted movements in opposite directions, and means for so bending the other portion of the bar as to bring it into contact with said former surface throughout its length.

3. A device for bending metal bars, comprising, in combination, a support, a former mounted thereon and having` a curved surface, means for holding abar to be bent against said former with one end of the bar projecting beyond the former, a member pivotally mounted on said support adjacent the end of said former, a second member pivotally supported on said first member, means on said second member for securing thereto said projecting end of the bar, means for moving said second member in one direction about its pivotal support on the first member to bend one part of the projecting portion of said bar in one way, means for moving said first member in an opposite direction about its pivotal support to bend another part of the projecting portion of said bar in the opposite way, whereby a reverse bend is produced in said projecting portion of the bar, and means for bending the other portion of the bar into contact with said former.

4L. A device for bending metal bars, com- 8O prising in combination a substantially flat support, a rotary cylinder projecting at substantially right angles therefrom, a frame pivotally mounted on said support, an elon gated handle arm having a semi-cylindrical end portion pivotally mounted on said frame parallel to said cylinder and spaced there from a sufficient distance to permit said bar to'move longitudinally between them, means on said handle arm for clamping the end of said bar to it, whereby when the bar extends along said handle arm from its plvot and 1s clamped to it at its end and the handle arm.

is turned the bar will be bent on a curve.

5. A device vfor bending metal bars, comarising in combination a substantially fiat support, a rotary cylinder projecting at substantially right angles therefrom, an elongated handle arm having a semi-cylindrical end portion pivotally mounted on said sup- 1 00 port parallel to said cylinder and spaced therefrom a suiicient distance to permit said lbar to move longitudinally between them, means on said handle arm for clamping the end of said bar to it, whereby when the bar means to said arm at different distances from its pivot whereby the distance of the bend from theend of the bar may be varied.

G. A device for bending metal bars, comprising in combination a support having a flat surface, a frame having'upper and lower 115 members parallel to said surface pivotally mounted at one end on said support and having aY vertical rotary cylinder between said members concentric with said pivot,

stops on said Vsupport for limiting the turning movement of said frame against one of which it normally rests, an elongated handle having a semi-cylindrical portion at one endpivotally mounted on said frame between its upper and lower members parallel to said cylinder and spaced from it a sufiicient distance to receive said bar between them, the handle being normally at right angles tothe frame, means on said handle adjacent its pivot for clamping the v13 end of said. bar thereto, whereby as the handle is turneduntil it makes contactwith the free end of the frame the bar will be drawn by it between the cylindrical surfaces of Contact bending itgoii acnrve.

7. A device for bending metal bars, comprising in combination a support having, a

which it normally rests, anv elongated handle having` a semi-cylindrical portion yat one end pivotally mounted on said fram-e between its upper and lower members parallel tol said cylinder and spaced from it' af sufficient distance to receive saidwbar between them, the

handlev beingfnormally at right' angles to the frame, stationary l means for laterally. supporting and guiding said baron the side where it enters said frame, means on said handle adjacent itspivot for clamping the end of' said bar thereto, whereby as the handle is turned until it'makes contact with the free end ofthe frame the4 bar will be A drawn byV it between the cylindrical surfaces ofcontactbending it on a curve.

8. A device for bending'metal bars,com prising in combination ya support having a flat surface, a frame having upper and lower Vmembers parallel to said surface pivotally f mounted at one end ons'aid support andhaving Aa vertical rotaryfcylinder between said members concentric with saidY pivot, stops on said support for limiting the turning' movement kof said frame against oneV of which it-normallyrests, an elongated handle having a'semi-cylindrical portionfat one end` pivotally mounted on'said frame between its upper and lower members parallely tosaid cylinderand spaced ,fromit' a sufhcient distance toV receivesaidkbar'between them, the handle being normally at right angles to the frame, stationary means for laterally supporting and guiding said bar on the side where it enters said frame, means on said handle adjacent its pivot for clamping the end of said bar thereto, whereby as the handle is turned until it makes contact with the free end of the frame the bar will be drawn by it between the cylindrical surfaces of contact bending it on a curve,

j automatic means for connecting said handle arm to said frame when it makes contact therewith, whereby on its reverse movement the frame will turn with it on the xframes pivot to its other limit of movement thus bending a successive portion of the bar on the linesof a reverse curve.

9. A device for bending metal bars, comprising in combination a support having `a flat surface, a frame having upper and lower members parallelto ysaid surface pivotally mounted at one end on said' support and having a vertical rotary cylinder" between said members concentric with` said pivot, stops on said support for limitingthe turn-l movement of said'frame against one of which it normally' resta-an elngated'handle having, a semi-cylindrical portion at `one end pivotall'y' mounted on `said fra-Ine between its yupper and lower'niembers parallel to said cylinder and spacedfrom Iit a suflicfientl distance to receive said bar betw'eenthem,-the handle' being normally at rightfangles to the frame, means on said handle adjacent itspivot for clamping the end of said; bar thereto, whereby as the `handle is turnedfuntu it makes Contact with the frei-gender the frame the' ,bar will be'drawn by it between the cylindrical surfaces of contact bending it on a curve, means for longitudinally adjusting Vsaid clamping means on said handle whereby` the longitudinal pointl of the bar-at which thev curve commences: may be varied. l j

10.` A device ,for bending'me'tal bar's,co'm

prisingin combination aQ-supporthaving'a flat surface, `a forme'rin iir'edposition' thereon having a surfacef'o'n? such curved'lengitudinal'lines as may be desired forfone'end portion of the bar`,means for' holdingfa bar extending along said former incontactwith one end of said former,an elongated lhandle arm having a roll-er Iprejecting therefrom at right angles and adapted to bear aga-inst the outer 'surfacel ofi aban in contact with the former at saidend,a`series'o`f` cooperating and corresponding `mea`ns on said support and handle arm for detachably? and pivotally connecting said armto-y said `snpport at the successive centers of' `ci'irw'fature of" the former'from said end to the other, whereby when the arm is ypiv'otallyfconnectedfinf proper sequence and moved the v,proper ainoiifnt'on each pivot the bar will" be Abent into close contact at all' points' lngitndinally.

11. A device for bending metal bars, comprising in combination a support having a flat surface, a former in fixed position thereon having a surface on such curved longi- 1 tudinal lines as may be desired for one end portion of the bar, means for holding a bar extending along said former in contact with one end of said former, an elongated handle arm having a roller projecting therefrom at right angles and adapted to bear against the outer surface of a bar in contact with the former at said end, a series of cooperating and corresponding means on said support and handle arm for detaehably and pivotally connecting said arm to said support at the successive centers of curvature of the former from `said end to the other,y whereby when the `arm is pivotally connect- :ed in proper sequence land moved the proper amount on each pivot the bar will be bent "lines as may be desired for one end portion of the bar, means for holding a bar extending along said former in contact with one end of said former, an elongated handle arnihaving a roller projecting therefrom at right angles and adapted to bear against the outer surface of a bar in contact with the former at said end, a series of cooperating and `corresponding means on said supi port and handle arm for detachably and` pivotally connecting said arm to' saidv support at the successive centers of curvature of the vformer. from said end to the other,

whereby when the arm is pivotally connected in proper sequence and'moved the proper amount on .each pivot .the bar will. be bent into close contact at all points longitudinally, each 'of said means for pivotally connecting said'arm and support consisting of afixed cylindrical pin on one and afixed cylindrical socket on the other in pin rotatively fits. Y

13. lA device for bending metal bars, comprising in combination a support having a fiat surface,-a former in fixedv position which the i thereon having a surface on such curved longitudinal lines as ymaybe desired .for

one end portion of thebar, means for holding a bar extending along said former in contact with one end of said former, a rod rectangular in section of slightly less width than the bar to be bent, secured to said support and fitting the edge of said. former next to the support'to space the bar from the former, an elongated vhandle arm havinga. roller projecting therefrom at right 'the arm isy pivotally connected in proper sequence and moved the proper amount on each pivot the bar will be bent into close contact at all points longitudinally.

14. A device for bending metal bars, comprising in combination a support having a flat surface, a former in fixed position thereon having a surface on such curved longitudinal lines as may be desired for one end portion of the bar7 means for holding a bar extending along said former in contact with one end of said former, a rod rectangular in section of slightly less width than the bar to be bent secured to said support and fitting the edge of said former next to the support to space the bar from the former, an elongated handle arm Vhaving a roller projecting therefrom at rightangles and adapted .to bear against the outer surface of a bar in contact'with the former at Vsaid end, a support for said roller secured to said arm comprising side walls and a connecting end wall, a series of cooperating and corresponding means on said support and handle arm for detachably and pivotally connecting said arm to said support at the successive centers of curvature of the former from said end to the other7 whereby when the arm is pivotally connected in proper sequence and moved the proper amount on each pivot the bar will be bent into close contact at all points longitudinally.

y In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature.

WiLLiAM JAKoB BEisEL. 

